To be totally freaking out about global warming?

[TakesTheCake]

I know global warming is real, so not asking if it is unreasonable to “believe” in it. But I am wigging out so badly, and I don’t see anyone else around me or online worrying about it through this awful searing heat and lack of rain and record temperatures all over the globe.

I am freaking out about future water scarcity, food shortages, nature, fires... have I got this out of proportion? I am so doom-and-gloom about it all, even when it is cool enough to sleep I lay awake worrying about my three kids’ futures environmentally. But my fears are not echoed by those around me.

Just me? Being over the top?

I have three kids but from two pregnancies. Yes, twins! Only intended to have two kids, with one eye on the environment. I don’t feel good about it, environmentally, but there it is!

We’re having a decent summer.
We haven’t had one for years.
Chill.

It’s likely the Sixth Extinction has already begun, the human race is not destined to be here forever, too much damage has been done. It won’t be in our lifetime or our children’s lifetime though. All we can do is our small bit to try and slow the process.

It's just summer. Pull up a lounger and enjoy. Summers were always like this when I were a kid. Better than the peeing rain we normally get.

The best thing anyone can do is to get rid of their car and get a bike.

After that, become a vegetarian.

All the other stuff is important, but not nearly as much - recycle, use few resources, shop less, don't use plastic bags, eat locally produced foods etc.

I've been saying this for all my adult life.

YANBU.

All these "don't worry" comments show how ill educated so many people are on this.

Our governments are failing us on a massive scale.

It is no exaggeration to say that global warming may cause the breakdown of our civilisation. It is already playing a part in causing wars and mass migration.

It is really not going to be pretty.

Yet what are our government doing? Fucking Brexit. It's taking all their time. We should be up in arms, demanding change.

But part of the problem is the government have no answers as they will have to admit capitalism and mass consumerism is to blame. We can't tackle global warming without accepting that a system built on constant growth is part of the problem.

Western human society is behaving like a swarm of locusts, stripping the planet's resources with no thought for the consequences.

But people don't want to hear it. We don't want to give up our comfy lives, our cars, our mass cinsumotion. We want to be able to go into a supermarket at any time of the year and expect to see veg there, ready for us. We don't think about how they travelled across the world to get there or about the massive amount of fresh food chuckedto ensure the shelves look always-stocked.

We're past the point that individual actions are going to make any difference.

It needs political leadership. But our leaders are useless and the public aren't demanding it. So we hurtle ever closer to disaster, cushioned from having to really think about it because we're too comfortable and concerned with our day-to-day.

The best thing anyone can do is to get rid of their car and get a bike.
After that, become a vegetarian.

Yes but we're past the point that we can hope to persuade enough people to make a difference. This needs large scale changes - but no one has the political will to do it.

People won't be demanding the government does something until they see the evidence with their own eyes. And by that time it'll be many years too late.

It’s not just “western human society”.

How about China, India, Malaysia, Brazil?

Why did you have three children if you are worried about global warming given that overpopulation of our planet by humans is the cause of global warming? Maybe your fears are based on guilt and reconciling the two emotions may give you some peace. Not much you can do about either the number of DC you have or global warming imo.

It's just summer. Pull up a lounger and enjoy.

What do you think global warming is, Chinnyreckoning?

NameChanger22 how would becoming a vegetarian help? If everyone became veggie Who would look after pigs and lambs and cows etc for free?

It’s not just “western human society

Yes you're right it's not only the West. But it's not all countries.

OnlyFoolsnMothers pigs and lambs and cows are intensively farmed. If people had no need for them they simply would not exist in such large numbers - you wouldn't have surplus animals wandering around!

Farmers don't "look after" animals eho just happen to be there! They intensively farm them.

Eating farmed meat is significantly worse for the environment than being veggie. Would you be interested in knowing why or am I wasting my breath?

If everyone became veggie Who would look after pigs and lambs and cows etc for free?

Sorry but you’ve completely lost me there. What on earth do you mean?

From what I understand, global warming doesn't equal long, hot summers? I think the usual grey, unbearably humid summer weather and flooding is what we can expect. So while you're not unreasonable to be concerned about the environment a) it's not helpful to freak out about it, it just makes you feel unhappy and doesn't change anything and b) a few weeks of sunny days isn't the first sign of the apocalypse.

IIRC we may get colder when climate change really kicks in. The arctic melting will make the gulfstream weaker and the British Isles will end up colder and wetter.

FWIW I'm mostly veggie and don't drive much. I was greens before I had dc's though. I'm toying with the odd vegan day a month.

I actually believe in global temperature fluctuations that have always happened. Mini-ice age etc. I think we are probably experiencing the start of a weather shift which has happened before and will again. I think your worrying isn't really helpful or healthy. Yes it may end up having an effect on population although I think not for decades if not centuries. Equally we are wrecking the planet with over populating so a cull is inevitable. I can't get too worked up however as panicking doesn't help anyone. I would imagine if there is a global warming process it's too far gone to do anything either.

From what I understand, global warming doesn't equal long, hot summers?

Yes you're right, predictions are that we'll get colder, because climate change is predicted to mess up the global climate so much that we lose the gulf stream, which heats the UK and keeps us much warmer than other countries as far north as we are.

That's really concerning - please don't use it as a reason not to worry!

Global.warming should more accurately be called climate change. It will warm overall but heat isn't the only change we'll experience.

I actually believe in global temperature fluctuations that have always happened

Firstly - there is solid evidence that this is man made.

Secondly, mass extinctions have always happened, doesn't mean it's something we want to encourage or shouldn't worry about!

Yes, I feel the same. This weather isn't normal. The winter was very harsh too. We just seem to be experiencing extremes of weather.

Climate and weather are different things.

Global climate change is hugely worrying for me. Massively so.

This long hot summer? Not so much. (Other than showing me how lucky we are to have water on tap, and freezers, and supermarkets etc).

It's Summer.

Firstly I say again I had two pregnancies resulting in three children.

Second: to those saying to just enjoy the weather - I hate it.

Third: those saying there is no issue and the climate has always changed... you are just burying your head in the (scorchingly hot) sand.

I know I worry excessively. I do puzzle over how to fully understand the situation and yet not let it consume you. I need to learn that trick because I also understand my worrying makes no difference to anything.

Has everyone forgotten the summer of ‘76??

I got bitten to death by 🐞 🐞 🐞 🐞

I worry too and can't believe how cavelier everyone is being! Denying climate change has become acceptable yet the whole world is becoming noticeably warmer while nothing is said about the acidification of the oceans. I love sunshine but longing for some decent rain. Have been putting out water for the hedgehogs and keeping the birdbath topped up....